VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 2015 5G / 7.G Owners Manual

Caring for rubber door and window seals

If the engine compartment is extremely dirty, have it cleaned professionally by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Plenum chamber
The plenum chamber is located in the engine compartment between windshield and engine, under a perforated cover. Outside air is taken into the vehicle interior from the plenum chamber via the climate control system.
Regularly remove leaves and other loose objects from the plenum chamber cover by hand or with a vacuum cleaner.
WARNING
Injuries, scalding, electric shock, accidents, and fire hazards can occur while working on the engine or in the engine compartment!
x Before working in the engine compartment, be sure to familiarize yourself with the
necessary procedures and generally accepted safety precautions ⇒ Working in the engine compartment.
x Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
Spraying or pouring water (for example, with a power washer) into the plenum chamber can cause severe damage to the vehicle.
Wash the engine compartment only in special wash bays so that the oily dirt and fuel residue that are washed off the vehicle will not enter the sewage system. In some areas it illegal to wash the engine compartment anywhere other than at such specified locations.

Interior care and cleaning

NOTICE
x Vehicle care products containing solvents can cause irreparable damage to plastics and other vehicle materials.
x Stains, dirt and other deposits that contain aggressive substances or solvents can corrode vehicle materials and cause permanent damage, even after brief contact with the surface.
x Remove stains, dirt, and other deposits as quickly as possible and do not allow them to dry.
x To help prevent damage, have stubborn stains removed by a professional who has the necessary expertise and experience.
Suitable care products are available from authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.
Caring for upholstery

these seat surfaces and backrests can damage the vehicle electrical system and prevent the airbag
system from working properly ⇒ .
Electrical components and connectors that could be damaged by incorrect cleaning or handling are
installed in power seats and heated seats ⇒ . This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle electrical system.
For this reason, read and follow these cleaning instructions:
x Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.
x Do not use detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions.
x Do not wet the surface completely.
x Only use cleaning products approved by Volkswagen.
x If you have questions or concerns, consult a professional cleaner.
x Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the packaging.
x Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara® upholstery, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush attachment.
x A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general
cleaning ⇒ .
x Clean Alcantara® surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free
microfiber cloth ⇒ .
Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available dry-foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.
Cleaning upholstery on non-heated seats, manual seats, or seats without airbag components
x Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the packaging.
x Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara® upholstery, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush attachment.
x Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.
x A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general
cleaning ⇒ .
x Clean Alcantara® surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free
microfiber cloth ⇒ .
Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available dry-foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.
Treating stains
When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the entire surface and not just the stain itself. This is especially true if the entire surface has become dirty from normal use. Otherwise, the area that is treated may become lighter than the untreated area. If you have questions or concerns, consult a professional cleaner.

Type of stain Recommended cleaning for fabric and upholstery
Water-based stains, such as coffee or fruit juice. – Moisten a sponge with water and rub the stain gently with a circular motion. – Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth.
Persistent stains, such as chocolate or make-up. – Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning products. – If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery professionally cleaned.
Grease-based stains, such as oil, lipstick, etc. – Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning products. – If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery professionally cleaned.

WARNING
If there is a malfunction in the airbag system, the airbag may not deploy correctly or at all, or it may deploy unexpectedly. This could cause fatal injuries.
x Have the airbag system inspected immediately by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
If the upholstery on power seats, heated seats, or seats with airbag components is wet, electrical components and the vehicle electrical system could be damaged.
x If the seating surface becomes soaked, have it dried and the system components checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Do not use steam cleaners because the steam could cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into the fabric and make it impossible to remove.
x Power washers and cooling sprays can damage the upholstery.
NOTICE
x Clean only the carpet and floor mats with brushes. Other textile surfaces can be damaged by brushes.
x If detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, the surfactants in the detergent may cause visible lines to form at the edges of the area where the detergent was applied. These lines are generally difficult or impossible to remove.
NOTICE
x Do not soak Alcantara®.
x Do not treat Alcantara® with leather care products, solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.
x Do not use brushes for damp cleaning, because they can damage upholstery surfaces.
x Do not use a steam cleaner, because dirt will penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Care and cleaning of leather upholstery

Type of stain Cleaning
Grease-based stains, such as oil, lipstick, etc. – Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth. – Use an appropriate cleaning agent on stains that have not yet
penetrated the surface ⇒ .
Special stains, such as ballpoint pen, marker, nail polish, latex paint, or shoe polish.
– Dab dry with an absorbent cloth. – Clean with a special stain remover designed for leather.

NOTICE
x Stains that have been left in place too long will penetrate the surface of the leather and cannot be removed.
x Never treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.
x Wipe up spilled liquids immediately with an absorbent cloth. Liquid can penetrate leather surfaces and seams within a few seconds.
x If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leather from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading and discoloration.
Slight discoloration caused by wear and tear is normal.
Cleaning leatherette

x Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean plastic or rubber parts.
x If this is not sufficient, then use a special solvent-free care and cleaning product designed for plastics.
x Clean felt inserts with a vacuum cleaner.
Care and cleaning of plastic components, wood trim and instrument
panel

WARNING
Damage to safety belts reduces their overall effectiveness and increases the risk of serious personal injury and death whenever the vehicle is being used.
x Check the condition of all safety belts regularly. If you notice that the safety belt webbing, hardware, retractor, buckle, or any other part of the safety belts is damaged, immediately have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility replace the safety belt with the correct replacement belt for your vehicle model and model year.
x Never use chemical cleaning agents, solvents, or any substance that may damage or weaken the safety belt webbing or any other parts of the safety belt. Never let the belts come into contact with corrosive fluids or sharp objects. Otherwise, the safety belt webbing will be significantly weakened.
x After cleaning, always give the safety belts time to dry completely before letting them retract. The moisture can damage the retractor and keep it from working properly.
x Never let foreign objects or liquids get into the safety belt latch. This could prevent the belt buckles and safety belts from working properly.
x Damaged safety belts must be replaced; they cannot be repaired.
x Never try to repair a damaged safety belt yourself. Never remove or modify the safety belts in any way.
x Safety belts that were subject to stress in an accident and stretched must be replaced with a correct, new safety belt, preferably by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Replacement after a crash may be necessary even if a safety belt shows no visible damage. Anchorages that have been loaded must also be inspected.